Sunny zipped up his bag, double-checking that he had everything he needed.
Towels, sunscreen, drinks, and a few snacks. He wasn't sure how long they'd stay, or rather what they did. It was just reccomended somwhere.
Before heading out, he caught his reflection in the mirror.
'Damn… I look good.'
He smirked at himself for half a second before scoffing and shaking his head.
'Stop being a narcissist.'
Nephis was waiting for him.
Grabbing his bag, he stepped out of his room.
Nephis was already by the door, waiting, her long silver hair cascading over her shoulders. She was wearing casual clothes for now, a simple yet elegant look that made it seem like she wasn't even trying.
Yet still managed to look perfect.
Sunny frowned slightly.
'How does she do that?'
"Ready?" she asked.
"Yeah." He tossed his bag over his shoulder and opened the door.
They hopped into the PTV and set out to the beach.
---------
The PTV came to a smooth stop near the secluded beach, the sound of waves crashing against the shore filling the air. The sun shone brightly, as if it only focused on the two of them.
Nephis stepped out first, glancing around.
Sunny followed, grabbing their bags before making his way toward a good spot near the water.
They set up quickly - laying out towels, securing the umbrella for shade, and placing their bags within reach.
Then, without hesitation, Sunny pulled his shirt over his head, tossing it onto the towel. His fingers went to the waistband of his pants, pulling them down until all that was left was his swim shorts.
Nephis, who had been casually fixing her things, happened to glance at him at that exact moment...only to freeze completely.
Her silver eyes widened slightly.
…He looked too damn good.
His lean frame was covered in muscle, defined but not bulky. The sun highlighted the sharp lines of his abdomen, the subtle strength in his arms.
He was built like someone who had survived countless battles, honed by hardship rather than vanity.
And his height.. just added to his charm.
Effie's words echoed in her mind.
"If I didn't know you two were a thing, I'd eat him up myself."
Nephis blinked, snapping herself out of it.
Sunny turned, catching her staring. He raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
For a brief moment, she considered telling the truth.
Instead, she played it off.
"Nothing," she said smoothly, turning her attention back to her bag. "Just thinking about something."
Sunny frowned slightly but shrugged. "Alright… if you say so."
As he moved toward the water, Nephis let out a slow breath.
Focus.
She had come here to relax. Not to drool over her boyfriend.
...
On the other side...
....
Nephis, after Sunny had, reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head.
Then, she pushed down her pants, letting them fall to the sand.
Sunny had seen her in armor, in battle-worn clothing, in dresses that made her look amazing.
But this?
This was something else entirely.
Her swimsuit was barely even that.
It was just a simple black bikini and panties that left very, very little to the imagination.
The way the fabric hugged her frame...it was too much.
Sunny, who had just been smugly teasing her earlier, suddenly found himself struggling to function.
His mind ground to a halt. His throat went dry.
How was it even possible? That someone like her - the Nephis, the legend, the flame that people followed blindly - was standing here, with him, wearing that?
How did he, of all people, manage to end up in this situation?
He tried to force himself to look away. To focus. To think about something else.
But his eyes refused to listen.
Nephis, of course, noticed.
Her lips curled into the slightest smirk as she tilted her head. "Something wrong, Sunny?"
He snapped out of it, his body going rigid.
He quickly turned his head to the side, trying - and failing - to act indifferent.
"Nothing," he muttered, ears burning.
Nephis chuckled softly, stepping past him toward the water, completely unbothered.
Sunny exhaled slowly, staring at the ground for a second.
Damn it.
This beach trip was going to be a lot harder than he thought.
Sunny took a sharp breath and, without another word, dove into the water.
The cold shock was exactly what he needed.
The moment the waves engulfed him, he let out a long exhale, trying to cool the heat that had stubbornly settled in his chest.
'Get it together, Sunless.'
He swam forward, letting the movement distract him, the water flowing over his skin. But before he could fully regain his composure, a soft splash came from behind him.
Nephis had followed.
A few moments later, they both emerged from the water, floating side by side.
The ocean stretched endlessly before them, the salty breeze mixing with the warmth of the sun.
Nephis turned her head slightly, looking at him. "This is nice," she admitted. "Thank you for bringing me here."
Sunny let out a breath, shaking his head.
"Don't thank me. I should be the one thanking you."
She raised an eyebrow, curious.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his voice softer now.
"For being with me," he admitted.
"For… everything."
It wasn't like him to say things so openly.
But right now, under the open sky and surrounded by nothing but water and silence, it felt right.
"I love you, Neph. More than anything. I love you so much that sometimes it terrifies me."
His voice was quiet but steady, carrying the weight of truth. "So much that I'd die for you...again and again. So much that I'd kill for you...again and again."
She stared at him, unreadable for a moment.
Then, before he could go on, she reached out and pressed a single finger against his lips, silencing him.
"I know," she said simply.
Sunny blinked.
Nephis let out a soft breath, shaking her head slightly.
"I don't need to hear it, Sunny. I can feel it."
She rested her palm against his chest, right where his Nebulous Mantle would have been.
"It's overflowing… so much love, so much devotion. You don't need to put it into words."
She smirked faintly. "If you keep going, I might start thinking you're a romantic."
Sunny rolled his eyes. "I take it back."
She chuckled, and for a moment, there was nothing but the warmth between them, the gentle waves carrying them closer together.